My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was

is

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and

a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats

to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her eyes and

must blow

Julian that there was no need

and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

it in your heart and not

her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height

Rachel gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the

you!” their parents

dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

finally smiled for the first time in days.

apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and

know. Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed

the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure

and

was inside her apartment and about to close the

door was propped

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all

out on

house and

see you’ve been getting

two steps back. Why are

as he pulled

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

he approached her, forcing her back inch by

no idea

he caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered